Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek Expand Structured Cabling Solutions

March 13, 2007
NetClear Electronic Safety and Security program for voice, data, video

New London, CT and New Holland, PA (March 7, 2007)… Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, have expanded their NetClear structured cabling solutions to include security and surveillance applications with the introduction of NetClear ESS (Electronic Safety and Security). NetClear solutions were built on the co-engineering expertise between the two companies to provide high performance, reliable voice and data structured cabling systems. NetClear ESS builds upon the same IT infrastructure to provide added value for the security and surveillance market as technology evolves to include IP-enabled devices, such as CCTV cameras, access control and other building automation systems.

Through NetClear ESS, Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek provide industry leading copper and fiber optic structured cabling systems to assure scalability and performance for all types of networks and technologies. "As a market leader in the IT enterprise market, Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek have the experience, knowledge and product sets to provide a scalable and warranted cabling system allowing our customers to migrate surveillance and other security applications to run efficiently over IP," states Marybeth Marx, vice president of marketing, Ortronics/Legrand. By including security applications as part of the NetClear suite of copper and fiber optic end-to-end structured cabling systems, NetClear ESS offers solutions for analog, hybrid and IP camera scenarios. Utilizing a UTP-based structured cabling system allows all types of cameras to be networked through the installation of the latest passive and active components. NetClear ESS offers both UTP and fiber optic systems, which can be configured uniquely for each environment, depending on camera type, distance, and required bandwidth and application. NetClear ESS solutions allow a progressive path to security over IP, including running data, video and power (PoE) over the same UTP cable. "Physical CCTV networks were previously implemented over proprietary operating systems using multiple cable types -- coaxial cable for video, twisted pair for data and electrical wire for power," explains Todd Harpel, Director of Marketing, Berk-Tek. "Through IP convergence, previously disparate disciplines, including data, video and power, are now being connected together over one standardized structured cabling network to allow the sharing of resources, which provides a higher level of network efficiency, while increasing the network's return on investment," he adds. As part of the NetClear ESS initiative, educational programs, such as full-day seminars, on-site training classes and webinars will be created for both security integrators and cable installers. This training will focus on the basics of structured cabling systems and the range of installation scenarios for voice and data, as well as CCTV, access control and building automation functions. At the upcoming ISC West Conference, to be held March 28-30 in Las Vegas, Ortronics/Legrand and Berk-Tek will take part in a technical educational presentation entitled, "Future proof CCTV Cable Installations," as well as demonstrating cable and connectivity products in the exhibit hall with Graybar. In addition to using existing cable and connectivity components, as well as pathway products from Wiremold/Legrand and Cablofil/Legrand for parallels networks, the NetClear ESS initiative will build upon the solution set and introduce new products developed specifically for this market. The NetClear commitment to the security market includes the recent introduction of a two-fiber indoor/outdoor Adventum tight buffer cable from Berk-Tek. "We identified the need for very robust small diameter tight buffer cable which would allow for quick and easy termination in the field yet still meet all the stringent requirements for both indoor and outdoor installations." We developed the new riser and plenum rated two-fiber Adventum cable in time for a large CCTV installation in Oklahoma. Now, this cable has been added to our standard products offering to service the fast growing security camera and FTTH markets," explains Beni Blell, RCDD, Fiber Optic Product Business Manager for Berk-Tek. NetClear is a Technology Alliance between Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, and Ortronics/Legrand to provide advanced, end-to-end co-engineered solutions for enhanced Category 5e, Category 6, Augmented Category 6 – 10 Gigabit and optical fiber channels - all backed by a 25-year warranty. For more information, visit www.netclear-channel.com. For more than 45 years, Berk-Tek has been a leading manufacturer of more than 100 different network copper and fiber optic cable products designed to transport high-speed voice, data and video transmissions. For more information, visit www.berktek.com. Ortronics/Legrand is a global leader in high performance structured cabling solutions, services, and support. Ortronics offers a complete range of Category 5e, 6 and 10 Gig copper, fiber optic, wireless and residential/MDU connectivity solutions. In addition, Ortronics offers Cablofil wire mesh cable tray and Wiremold pathways. For more information, visit www.ortronics.com.